Erling Haaland scored as Manchester City saw off Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday night and his celebration had a number of Leeds fans on alert
Leeds United fans were convinced Erling Haaland made the club’s famous salute after scoring past their fierce rivals Galatasaray.
The Manchester City star has seen the goals dry up in comparison to his blistering start to the season, but he was back amongst it as the Premier League side downed the Turkish giants to make the knockouts of the Champions League.
Haaland, born in Leeds due to the fact his father spent part of his career at Elland Road, is well versed in the club’s traditions. And eagle-eyed fans of the Yorkshire club were convinced he utilised their iconic action after scoring.
After finding the net he used his fist to beat his chest as he celebrated his strike against Galatasaray, who are hated at Elland Road following horrific scenes that saw two of their fans tragically killed back in 2000.
Leeds faced Galatasaray in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup – a game that involved Erling’s father Alfe-Inge, but tragedy struck beforehand and four men were later arrested and charged with the murders of two travelling supporters, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus . The deaths led to an angry reaction in England as Galatasaray fans were banned from attending the second leg at Leeds – with the ill-feeling still very much existing.
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In light of the celebration, in front of the travelling Galatasaray fans by the Leeds-born striker one fan said: “Right in front of their fans and all. MOT”. Another added: “He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing there. Love the man” and that theme continued as one fan commented: “He’s Leeds and he knows it.”
Haaland has scored against Leeds at their Yorkshire base in the past, but admitted he didn’t celebrate out of respect for the club with his father playing for the club in the late 1990s and into 2000.
He said at the time: “It was planned. I did not feel like celebrating. I was born in Leeds and have respect for the club. Mom and dad was at the stadium. That is special. When I was little I had a Leeds kit with Erik Bakke on the back and a City kit with my dads name”.
Haaland has long followed Leeds and kept tabs on their top performers, which led him to sound out former Whites star Stuart Dallas during an international clash. The Northern Irishman was a big player during the Marcelo Bielsa era, reaching new heights, and he opened up on a discussion with the prolific striker after they swapped shirts.
Dallas said: “He walked behind me and asked about swapping shirts. I thought he meant inside, but he shouted at me and asked to do it now. We did it and then he leaned into me and said, ‘Marching on together!’”.
Back in 2019, whilst playing for Red Bull Salzburg, Haaland openly displayed his admiration for Leeds. “I want to be the best possible. The dream is to win the Premier League with Leeds,” he said.
Haaland has since won the Premier League twice, both with City, and won the Champions League at the Etihad. That dream remains alive again after they advanced into the knockouts with several domestic honours still within their grasp too.
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